Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the target of a large decline in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 79,058 shares, a decline of 83.4% from the September 15th total of 476,420 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 536,428 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Up 0.4%

NYSE HIX opened at $3.50 on Friday. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 1-year low of $3.45 and a 1-year high of $4.35. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $3.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.90.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 20th will be given a $0.0490 dividend. This represents a $0.59 annualized dividend and a yield of 16.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 20th.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Fund II

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 2nd quarter valued at $848,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the second quarter worth $1,110,000. Equitable Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the second quarter worth $42,000. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the second quarter worth $109,000. Finally, Argyle Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the second quarter worth $190,000.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Company Profile

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc (NYSE: HIX) is a closed-end investment fund designed to provide investors with a high level of current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective. The fund invests primarily in income-producing fixed-income securities, including below-investment-grade corporate bonds and other high-yield debt instruments.

HIX is managed by Western Asset Management Company, LLC, a global fixed-income investment manager and a subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc Western Asset uses credit research, sector analysis and portfolio management to select and manage the fund’s investments across the high-yield bond market.

The fund is structured as a publicly traded closed-end fund, meaning it raises capital through a fixed number of shares that trade on the New York Stock Exchange rather than offering or redeeming shares continuously like an open-end mutual fund.